- Basic parts for a do-it-yourself project start around $30-$100 per ball joint, or $125-$400 for four, but it can cost more for luxury or rare vehicles. Some ball joints are connected to the control arm in one assembly, which must be replaced as a complete unit; part kits for this average about $500-$650. CostHelper readers report paying $112-$400 or an average of $249 for do-it-yourself materials for a project that took three to six hours of work.
What should be included:
- Although ball joints are generally durable, they can wear out eventually and the ball won't fit in the socket as well as it did originally. Depending on the vehicle, driving habits, driving conditions and wear patterns, a ball joint can wear out at 30,000 miles, 100,000 miles, 150,000 miles or more. Symptoms that a ball joint might need replacing include a clicking or thumping noise when going over a bump or hitting a pothole, or a shake, shimmy or vibration in the steering. A mechanic can measure the looseness of the old ball joint to determine whether it should be replaced. The California Bureau of Auto Repair has an illustrated overview of ball joints[1] .
- Popular Mechanics[2] rates the difficulty of replacing a ball joint as moderate, but says if the vehicle requires the use of a spring compressor it's better to hire a professional mechanic. MobilOil.com[3] rates the project as difficult and estimates it takes an average of three hours.
Related Costs: Car Suspension,
Car Shock Absorbers,
Replacing a Transmission,
Replacing a CV Boot,
Replacing a Timing Belt,
Wheel Alignment
Additional costs:- Some vehicles require a wheel alignment ($130-$850 per axle) after replacing the ball joints; check the vehicle's specifications to see if an alignment is needed (it isn't always necessary).
Discounts:- A CostHelper reader in Illinois reports buying parts for a 1995 Ford Explorer for $50 at Autozone in 2010, and paying a local mechanic $200 for labor to replace the ball joints.
Shopping for ball joint replacement:- Ball joint replacement can be done at a car dealership, an independent repair shop or car-repair chains like Firestone[4] , Midas[5] , Pep Boys[6] or Sears[7] .
- Both the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence[8] and the International Automotive Technicians Network[9] provide a searchable directory of repair shops.
- Consumer Reports lists tips for finding a good mechanic[10] .
What People Are Paying - Recent Comments
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Upper and lower ball joints left side, also one center link, and aiinment
Amount: $835.00 Posted by: Tommy Frick
From: New Lenox, IL
Posted On: April 17th, 2023 03:04PM
Car Make: Mercury
Car Model: Grand marquis
Shop: Good year
4 ball joints, R, L, upper and lower, + Alignment
Amount: $1,200.00 Posted by: T T
From: Lake Forest, CA
Posted On: August 11th, 2020 10:08PM
Car Make: Ford
Car Model: Crown Victoria
Shop: OC House of Suspension, Lake Forest, CA
Quoted $993 for 3 ball joints and alignment but they decided to replace 4...without calling for authorization. Seems a bit high but it’s now 2020. The shop is reputable with experienced technicians and quality work.
Seems pricey?
Amount: $765.00 Posted by: Bel
From: Seattle, WA
Posted On: September 17th, 2019 04:09PM
Car Make: Ford
Car Model: E250
Shop: Midas
Ball joint replacement for front end of the car only.
Both front lower ball joints replaced
Amount: $780.00 Posted by: Randy Beaverton, OR
From: Beaverton, OR
Posted On: July 5th, 2019 09:07AM
Car Make: Ford
Car Model: Expedition
Shop: Alignment Specialties
Ereplace right upper tie rod and lower right ball joint
Amount: $355.00 Posted by: Philip DeVesa
From: Morristown, NJ
Posted On: September 16th, 2018 12:09PM
Car Make: MERCEDES BENZ
Car Model: 1994 SL 500. Convertible
Shop: Leo boys
I need parts / labor breakdowns
Sarai
Amount: $0.00 Posted by: Sarai
From: Delmas, AK
Posted On: May 26th, 2017 09:05AM
Car Make: BMW
Car Model: Haiti
Shop: Walking, hiking
Ball joints are a part of your vehicle s suspension system that connect the steering knuckles to the control arms.
RT LWR Ball Joint
Amount: $51.00 Posted by: RQ
From: La Mesa, CA
Posted On: March 16th, 2017 03:03PM
Car Make: 2004 Ford
Car Model: F150 SUPERCREW
Shop: DIY
Purchased OEM Motorcraft lower ball joint for 2004 Ford with 155K miles. Autozone loaned me the ball joint removal tool and torque wrench. very involved but doable for the average DIY. Took me about 5 hours though I was not in a hurry and had no air or speed tools.
Left side upper and lower ball joint replacement
Amount: $789.00 Posted by: Joe Drake
From: Laurel, MD
Posted On: November 9th, 2016 08:11AM
Car Make: 2000 Mercury Grand Marques
Car Model: Grand Marques
Shop: Tune and Lube Laurel Maryland
Is this a fair price?
ball joint & inner outer tie rods
Amount: $86.00 Posted by: and1burnout
From: Kendallville, IN
Posted On: November 7th, 2016 07:11PM
Shop: In the road
Bought a kit on amazon 2 ball joints both inner and outer rods for $86 bucks. I will advise the need for a impact wrench to do the job. Without one its alot of headaches and hurt backs. Rented remove ball joint press and tie rod outer fork and inner pipe removal for $225 from OReilly they were free loaner parts once returned.
Ball joint replacement
Amount: $275.00 Posted by: Truck
From: Great bend, KS
Posted On: September 19th, 2016 09:09PM
Shop: On my own
2002 Lincoln Navigator
Ball joints-$40 $20 a piece new
Inner tie rod-$40 $20 a piece new
Outer tie rod-$40 $20 a piece new
Upper control arm-$80 $40 a piece new
Eagle tire-$75 alignment
replace all 4 ball joints
Amount: $340.00 Posted by: Cory Cian
From: tonawanda, NY
Posted On: August 30th, 2016 09:08AM
Shop: one stop auto
Ball joint etc Home job
Amount: $250.00 Posted by: Austin
From: Springfield, IL
Posted On: May 21st, 2016 01:05PM
Car Make: Mercury
Car Model: Mountaineer
Shop: Self
We replaced the front end
control arms and (upper) ball joints*
one new rotor 1 remanned
sway bar links*
lower ball joint*
tie rods*
bearings and racers repacked/replaced
*bought on rockauto.com wayy cheap
everything else napa/autozone/oreillys
Did work ourselves took about 8 hours with 3 people and rudimentary tools. pressed balljoints with a hammer and jack
86Toyota pickup ball joints/idler arm
Amount: $495.00 Posted by: Karen bailey
From: Bountiful, UT
Posted On: May 13th, 2016 02:05PM
Shop: Diy
Replaced lower ball joints idler arm
Front upper and lower ball joints, front axle, sway bar, upper control arms, power steering flush,
Amount: $500.00 Posted by: TERRA
From: COLORADO SPRINGS, CO
Posted On: May 12th, 2016 01:05PM
Shop: Big 0 tires
Quoted by 2 other shops one at 900 and another at 543
big o first quoted 800
because I'm a girl they thought I was dumb
1995 Blazer
Amount: $1,000.00 Posted by: John Herr
From: Hughesville, PA
Posted On: March 23rd, 2016 05:03PM
Car Make: Chevy
Car Model: Blazer
$200 in parts for upper and lower control arm complete with bushing and ball joints. $90 for inner and outer tie rods and adjusters. 10 hrs. labor because of torsion bars. About a grand all said and done.
2 Lower Ball Joints and 1 Upper Control Arm Replaced
Amount: $865.00 Posted by: Roman
From: Westfield, MA
Posted On: January 26th, 2016 01:01PM
Car Make: Acura
Car Model: TL Type-S
Shop: Firestone Complete Auto Care
2 front lower ball joints: Parts: $200, Labor: $250
Front right control arm: Parts: $165, Labor: $90
Alignment: $85
Steep price to pay, especially for a college student. Paid triple for parts. Labor costs ended up being roughly $150/hr for 3 hours of work. Car drives noticeably better after replacements and alignment. No more loud creaking when turning the wheel and driving over small bumps. Customer service was good. The price? Not so much.
Upper lower rear right control arms with ball joints
Amount: $130.00 Posted by: shade tree
From: Paradise, TX
Posted On: January 16th, 2016 01:01PM
Shop: DYI
Bought lower after found the $65 dealer diagnosis of upper ball joint to be incorrect. Replaced both, stealership wanted $575 for just replacing the upper and aligning. Doesn't need rear alignment, they lied again. Sometimes the technician suffer because the ervice writers are theives.
Left Front Lower Ball Joint Replacement
Amount: $370.00 Posted by: a user in Vaughan, Other.
Posted On: November 27th, 2015 02:11PM
Car Make: Subaru
Car Model: Legacy
Shop: Canadian Tire
F250 Ball joint replacement costs
Amount: $1,803.40 Posted by: Hokywolf
From: Tinly Park, IL
Posted On: October 17th, 2015 07:10AM
Car Make: Ford
Car Model: F250
Shop: Guaranteed Transmission Service
Had the truck for 5 days. Replaced upper and lower on both sides. Also had to replace an u-joint and inner / outer axle seals.
Parts $617.76
Misc. shop supplies $37.07
Environmental charge $ 12.36
Labor $1089.51
Labor seemed a little high, appears parts mark-up was xx. X 1.50
2004 Chrysler Sebring. lower ball joint and axle
Amount: $395.00 Posted by: ozz
From: merrick, NY
Posted On: October 15th, 2015 11:10PM
Shop: center island auto..farmingdale NY
Another shop wanted 550+++ throwing in that tie rods could be bent blah blah blah..NorBel Merrick NY. I towed it to other shop for cheaper work.
UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS BOTH SIDES 98 DODGE 1500
Amount: $426.00 Posted by: a user in MURF, TN.
Posted On: July 3rd, 2015 07:07PM
Car Make: DODGE
Car Model: 1500
Shop: MINE
THATS A FAIR PRICE RITE?
FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS AND LINK KITS AND ALINMENT
Amount: $300.00 Posted by: [email protected] From: HEBRON, OH
Posted On: May 5th, 2015 01:05AM
Car Make: FORD
Car Model: Taurus
Shop: M&M TRANSMISSIONS
i took my car to the local shop in town because of all the wonderful reviews,after they inspected my car i was told i needed lower ball joints and sway bar link kits. they also advised me if i wanted to buy my own parts i was more than welcome to do so.( has anyone ever heard of this ? ) they did a aliment for free these guys are my home town hero's now !
4 ball joints replaced, 2 on each side, upper and lower, 2 bent tie rods
Amount: $1,350.00 Posted by: dug
From: orlando, FL
Posted On: March 24th, 2015 07:03PM
Car Make: toyota
Car Model: tacoma
Shop: pep boys
I had all 4 ball joints replaced along with 2 tie rods
rt. front UPPER & LOWER ball joints + replace wheel bearing.
Amount: $575.00 Posted by: crl8783
From: Rochester, NY
Posted On: March 21st, 2015 11:03AM
Car Make: 2002GMC
Car Model: ENVOY
Shop: MAVIS/COLE MUFFLER,BRAKE,DISCOUNT TIRE..
Gave me a SMALL deal after spending about 1500$ a month prior on new tires, 3 calipers,2 rotors,all pads,fluid flush.. 575$ total including a inspection and tax. Waiting to pick it up right now, don't have a press, and its snowing here so kinda of a pain trying myself. *march2015*
all ball joints & tie rods
Amount: $190.00 Posted by: p-pimp
From: Albuquerque, NM
Posted On: March 18th, 2015 12:03PM
Shop: myself
115 parts + alignment it is not that hard just buy a manual
L & R Upper Control Arms w/ ball joints and L & R lower ball joints
Amount: $910.00 Posted by: BennyG
From: Norwood, MA
Posted On: February 26th, 2015 12:02PM
Car Make: 2009 Chevy
Car Model: Silverado LS 4x 4 Half Ton
Shop: Rt. 1 Auto Norwood
Replaced OEM upper control arm w/ greasable MOOG ball joint on both driver and passenger side. Replaced lower ball joints on both driver and passenger side w/ MOOG ball joints. Moog makes ball joints with grease fittings. OEM ball joints did not have grease fittings. $95/hr shop labor x 4.8 hrs. Moog parts a little more money but most certainly worth it because I plow and wanted the beefiest aftermarket replacement parts available.
ball joint replacement
Amount: $584.00 Posted by: aks
From: Clarksburg, WV
Posted On: February 24th, 2015 11:02AM
Car Make: chrysler
Car Model: sebring
Shop: quick lane
lower ball joints both sides replaced 2014
Replaced upper & lower ball joints
Amount: $1,200.00 Posted by: JLD73
From: Dallas, TX
Posted On: February 21st, 2015 09:02AM
Car Make: Ford 1998
Car Model: Expedition XLT
Shop: Love Field Auto
I took the vehicle in for something else and learned that I needed new ball joints. This is the 1st ball joint replacement on this vehicle which has 160k miles
Had mechanic replace upper and lower ball joints, link kit, idler arm and perform alignment.
Lower ball joints (2): $95
Upper control arm/ball joints (2): $230
Link kit (2): $33
Idler Arm (1): $148
Alignment: $170
Labor: $532
one side ball joints, both front axle u-joints, steering rod, tie rod end, fr shocks
Amount: $150.00 Posted by: anthonynoble83
From: clinton, IL
Posted On: December 7th, 2014 06:12PM
Car Make: 92 ford
Car Model: f150 4x4
Shop: my driveway
extensive work, tons of rust from the illinois winters, not hard labor if you have the right tools, had to drind ball joint nuts w angle grinder as i snapped 1/2 breaker bar on them. probably a total of 4 hours, as i made many trips to autozone.
2002 Ford Ranger Upper Swing Arms and Lower Ball Joints
Amount: $710.00 Posted by: dan2014y
From: Suwanee, GA
Posted On: October 31st, 2014 08:10AM
Shop: Local Independent Shop
I debated whether to replace these myself. I know I could of saved a bunch of money, but at what cost to my sanity... this job Is rated at $430 labor ($80 / hr), but by the time I get the parts, tools and get the truck off the floor, Id already be stressed out and I better finish the job.
Don't fall for the mechanic price gouge
Amount: $282.00 Posted by: JasonRanger
From: Berlin, CT
Posted On: October 10th, 2014 09:10PM
Car Make: 1999 Ford
Car Model: Ranger XLT 4x4
Shop: Private
Bought the parts online for $102, paid a friend $120 for 3 hours of labor, and I had upper full control arms and lower ball joints done. An extra $60 for the alignment, and I was all set.
upper control arms - upper ball joints only
Amount: $612.84 Posted by: mike76
From: Shrewsbury, MA
Posted On: October 3rd, 2014 01:10PM
Car Make: jeep
Car Model: liberty sport 2004
Shop: rands in shrewsbury
new upper control arms, labor 270, parts 342.84. parts were expensive, about double what was available on amazon. alignment was an additional 95 bucks. lower were done under recall by Jeep.
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